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We all know that recent years have been tough for businesses in all sectors, and there is rising concern that some organisations may be tempted to cut corners – and costs - by neglecting Disclosure and Barring Service checks, or DBS checks. These are the criminal records checks on employees which were previously known as CRB checks.

Efforts to secure a spot on Winter Love Island were thwarted for convicted criminals after show producers enhanced background checks with the government's Disclosure & Barring Service. Asking all potential contestants to have a DBS check should flag up anyone with a serious criminal history, and whose presence in the house could bring the show into disrepute.

New regulations surrounding criminal background checks for MOT testers and those running garages came into force at the end of March 2024, and industry research in January 2024 showed that nearly 75% of MOT testers had yet to undergo their annual skills assessment.

If the sector in which you work is one where DBS checks are a standard part of recruitment, then you might be faced with applying for multiple DBS checks over the course of just a few months. It’s hardly surprising therefore that many workers ask about whether they can take a DBS certificate obtained for one job and use it for another position.

To coincide with the launch of the Home Office's Stop! Think Fraud campaign, the Disclosure and Barring Service is publicising a new campaign to try to prevent job seekers from falling foul of advanced fee job scams, which commonly involve criminal records checking. Fraudsters are trying to deceive job seekers into paying up-front for non-existent DBS checks, particularly during peak recruitment periods.

DBS Checks play a crucial role in making informed recruitment decisions for both individuals and organisations. In the UK, criminal records checks are the main tool used by employers in ensuring they are following safeguarding procedures, and not putting vulnerable people, or their company finances in danger. In England and Wales, criminal records checks are done by the Disclosure and Barring Service, or DBS.

A Police Clearance Certificate, often referred to as a “good conduct” certificate, is an official document issued by law enforcement agencies. This sort of police check is about verifying an individual's criminal record status, telling immigration departments or employers about any criminal convictions, or pending charges. It sounds remarkably similar to applying for a DBS check but there are subtle differences.

In the education sector, safeguarding students is what most professionals will say is the most important responsibility of their role. DBS checks for staff and volunteers play an important part of meeting these safeguarding needs. However, going through the process of DBS checks can be confusing, especially when you’ve never done it before.

New regulations to be introduced in Newport, South Wales, aim to greatly improve safety standards for taxi drivers and owners. These will include stricter criminal record checks and licensing requirements, not just for the people who are driving the cabs and picking up passengers, but also for anyone who is in charge of a taxi or private hire business.

There is lots of confusion about the different levels of DBS checks, and what each check is needed for. Many job seekers think there is only one level of check. Enhanced checks are the most detailed DBS checks and the most high-profile, as this is the check that people need if working with vulnerable groups such as children, or patients in hospital.